分类： politics

The political landscape in Iraq faces renewed uncertainty as Nouri al-Maliki emerges as a potential prime ministerial candidate, stirring concerns about regional stability and international relations. The Shiite Coalition Framework alliance selected Maliki—former prime minister from 2006 to 2014—after the incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani failed to form a government following November’s elections. This development has triggered alarm in Washington and among Iraqi citizens who recall Maliki’s previous tenure, which culminated in the Islamic State group capturing vast territories and widespread accusations of sectarianism and corruption.

Donald Trump escalated tensions through a TruthSocial post, characterizing Maliki’s earlier rule as an era of ‘poverty and total chaos’ and threatening to withdraw U.S. support if Maliki returns to power. Maliki retaliated on social media platform X, condemning Trump’s remarks as a violation of Iraq’s democratic processes and advocating for diplomatic dialogue over threats.

Analysts and journalists highlight the high stakes of this political maneuvering. Muntazar al-Zaidi—the journalist internationally known for throwing his shoes at Maliki and George W. Bush in 2008—described Maliki’s previous rule as a ‘dark period’ marked by corruption, repression, and economic mismanagement. Reports indicate that approximately $500 billion vanished from state coffers during Maliki’s eight-year administration.

The U.S. administration has implied potential sanctions should a government backed by Iran-aligned paramilitaries take office, reflecting Washington’s view of Maliki as an Iranian ally. Internally, Maliki’s nomination has exposed divisions within Iraq’s political blocs. While the Sunni-led Taqadum party opposes his candidacy, citing risks of renewed sectarian conflict, the Azm Alliance has expressed support.

Experts note that Maliki’s path to power remains uncertain. Hayder al-Shakeri of Chatham House observed that although Maliki holds a numerical majority within the Shiite Coordination Framework, he lacks full consensus, complicating his ability to present himself as a unifying leader. The ongoing government-formation process—delayed as Kurdish parties select a presidential candidate—will ultimately determine whether Maliki can secure a third term amid domestic and international apprehensions.

Chinese anti-corruption authorities have launched a formal investigation into Bao Hui, former director of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Congress Standing Committee, for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. The announcement was made on Monday by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

Bao Hui, 62, a native of Yunnan province, has held numerous significant positions throughout her four-decade political career. She joined the Communist Party in 1983 and began her professional journey in 1984, initially spending over ten years at Southwest Jiaotong University before transitioning to government roles.

Her political trajectory included serving as head of Chengdu’s united front work department and publicity department. From September 2012 to 2018, Bao held the dual positions of mayor and Party chief of Dazhou in Sichuan province. She subsequently advanced to deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan provincial people’s congress.

In January 2022, Bao assumed her most recent leadership roles as secretary of the Party Leadership Group and director of the Standing Committee of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Congress. She maintained these positions until March 2025, shortly before the investigation was made public. The disciplinary review and supervisory investigation represent the latest development in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has consistently targeted high-ranking officials across various government levels.

Tensions escalate in the Middle East as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group positions itself in regional waters, creating a backdrop for complex diplomatic maneuvers between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump delivered contradictory statements regarding potential intervention, simultaneously highlighting military capabilities while expressing confidence in Tehran’s desire for negotiations.

The geopolitical standoff follows Iran’s severe crackdown on domestic protests, accompanied by a nationwide internet blackout that humanitarian organizations report has complicated accurate casualty assessment. According to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), verified fatalities exceed 6,100 individuals, with thousands more potentially killed and over 41,000 arrests documented.

Trump’s remarks to Axios revealed the administration’s dual-track approach, noting ‘We have a big armada next to Iran’ while asserting Iranian officials had made numerous overtures for dialogue. This comes weeks after similar military posturing preceded US intervention in Venezuela that resulted in President Nicolas Maduro’s capture.

Analysts suggest the White House is considering multiple options ranging from targeted strikes against military installations to comprehensive regime-change operations. Senator Lindsey Graham reinforced this perspective, stating unequivocally that ‘the goal is to end the regime’ during discussions with the president.

Iranian officials have responded with measured rhetoric alongside military warnings. Revolutionary Guards spokesman Mohammad Ali Naini cautioned that any incursion into Iranian territorial waters would prompt immediate retaliation, while conservative media outlets threatened closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The New York Times reported intelligence assessments indicating the Iranian government’s stability has reached its most vulnerable point since the 1979 revolution. Despite this apparent weakness, communication channels reportedly remain open between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, suggesting behind-the-scenes diplomacy continues even as public posturing intensifies.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the United Kingdom has deployed a squadron of Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar’s Al Udeid airbase, raising questions about potential British involvement in a possible US-led offensive against Iran. This military movement occurs as the Trump administration reportedly considers precision strikes against Iranian officials linked to the suppression of recent anti-government protests.

While the UK Ministry of Defence characterizes the deployment as enhancing defensive capabilities and regional stability through the newly formed joint RAF-Qatari No. 12 Squadron, analysts note these advanced aircraft are capable of intercepting Iranian Shahed-136 drones. The deployment follows Iran’s previous rocket attack on the same base in response to US actions against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government maintains strategic ambiguity regarding potential cooperation with US military operations. Despite the Labour administration’s desire to strengthen UK-US relations, it has distanced itself from Trump administration policies on multiple occasions, including refusing participation in the Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ and maintaining neutrality during previous Israel-Iran conflicts.

The strategic significance of British military assets extends beyond Qatar, encompassing naval facilities in Bahrain, air bases in the UAE, Oman, and Cyprus, and most critically, the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. This Indian Ocean installation places US bomber aircraft within striking distance of Iran while avoiding contested Gulf airspace, though any American deployment from this territory requires explicit British authorization.

Recent UK actions include imposing fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s finance, energy, and transportation sectors, alongside individual sanctions against Iranian businessman Ali Ansari, whose £150 million portfolio has been frozen over alleged IRGC financing connections. The British government has simultaneously evacuated its Tehran embassy staff and heightened security precautions throughout the region.

As the US reinforces regional military presence with additional warplanes, air defense systems, and the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, diplomatic attention remains focused on Washington’s next moves and potential allied responses.

The United States has proposed a potential amnesty arrangement for Palestinian combatants as part of a broader initiative to disarm Hamas in Gaza, according to statements made by American officials on Tuesday. An anonymous U.S. official disclosed to Reuters that both Israeli and American strategies assume weapon surrender would be accompanied by clemency provisions for fighters.

“We are listening to many of their people talk about disarming. We believe they will comply,” the official stated, emphasizing that disarmament would constitute a fundamental component of any negotiated settlement. “Failure to relinquish weapons would constitute a violation of the agreement. We envision disarmament proceeding alongside appropriate amnesty measures, and we have developed a robust program to facilitate this process.”

This development coincides with France’s urgent call for implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire framework following the recovery of the final Israeli hostage’s remains from the Palestinian territory. Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “immense relief” at the resolution of the hostage situation while emphasizing the critical need for transitional measures.

“Commencing the second phase of the Gaza peace plan must now facilitate the transition from ceasefire to durable peace, ensure massive humanitarian aid delivery, and reestablish credible political prospects for a two-state solution with mutual security,” Confavreux articulated via social media platform X.

The truce, originally brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump in October, aimed to terminate over two years of severe conflict that resulted in more than 71,660 Palestinian fatalities and the near-total destruction of 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure. Despite the ceasefire, monitoring groups have documented over 1,300 violations attributed to Israeli forces since its inception.

Phase two of the Trump administration’s peace blueprint requires the disarmament of Hamas, progressive withdrawal of Israeli military units from occupied portions of the Gaza Strip, and the introduction of international peacekeeping forces. Hamas officials have countered that Israel must fully adhere to the ceasefire terms, particularly regarding unimpeded aid access and complete territorial withdrawal.

Recent tensions escalated when Israel announced the discovery of the last captive’s body near Gaza City following intensive military operations involving artillery shelling and bulldozing activities. Local reports from the Wafa news agency detailed extensive ground operations in eastern Gaza City, including the desecration of multiple graves during search operations for 24-year-old policeman Ran Gvili.

The Israeli military’s operations have resulted in dozens of casualties from heavy artillery and drone strikes since Sunday. In a concurrent development, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in central Gaza received nine Palestinian detainees released through Red Cross mediation on Monday evening.

Post-ceasefire violence has claimed at least 486 Palestinian lives with over 1,341 wounded, while Israeli authorities maintain strict limitations on humanitarian assistance, continuing bans on essential shelter and heating supplies.